Junction Roundabout Not Likely, Says SHA Official

A Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) official said it is not likely a roundabout would fit on Carroll Avenue in the Takoma Junction area because large trucks would not be able to make the turns that a roundabout would require, said Takoma Junction Task Force members who met with the SHA official on April 20. 

The meeting was held with Cedric Ward of the SHA’s District 3 office, said Katrina Oprisko, task force member who discussed the meeting at the Task Force’s full meeting April 26, 2011. The first thing Ward determined was that a roundabout would not fit in the Takoma Junction area because traffic coming up Carroll Avenue—mainly large trucks—would not be able to make the turns through a roundabout.

Task force member Andy Kelemen asked if it was mentioned to Ward that some roundabouts are built so that large trucks go over them?

“That didn’t come up,” said Task Force Co-Chair Seth Grimes.

“I have the impression that it didn’t occur to him (Ward),” said Grimes, who added, “That’s not in compliance with state guidelines.”

The Task Force became interested in recommending a roundabout for Carroll Avenue in the Takoma Junction area since task force member Barbara Muhlbacher proposed a splitter-island type roundabout for Carroll Avenue. In Muhlbacher’s proposal, the length of a splitter-island type roundabout on Carroll Avenue would be 30 feet, and that would leave around room for a single lane of traffic on the road. In addition, the bus bay at B.Y. Morrison Park would be eliminated for more road space.

The task force members at the meeting with Ward “were talking about a mini roundabout, and he expressed concern right at the beginning about having a large roundabout, that it would take a lot of land,” said task force member Lorraine Pearsall. “He (Ward) was considering a one-lane roundabout because that’s what we talked to him about,” she said.

In addition, there are three things Ward said that are significant about the roundabout, task force member Jeff Trunzo said.

The first thing Ward said is that a roundabout added to an area in an effort to improve pedestrian safety, could possibly curb pedestrian convenience.

The second thing Ward said is that a quick look at the area shows there are a lot of business driveways there that need access from the road.

And the third thing Ward said is that a traffic light so close to a roundabout—like the traffic light at the fire station—can negatively affect the efficiency of a roundabout. “Those three things don’t prevent a roundabout, but they are very intense challenges,” Trunzo added.

Because of all the different information discussed at the meeting with Ward, the task force is going to send a follow-up communication to the SHA official covering three areas, said Grimes. “We need to follow up on if he (Ward) was going to see if the SHA previously studied the possibility of a roundabout at Takoma Junction,” Grimes said. The follow-up communication is going to ask:

-That Ward provides the task force with “a set of informal observations” based on his visit to the Takoma Junction.

-That the task force provides Ward with a list of questions, or information requests that are based on the April 20, 2011 meeting and the April 26 discussion.

-Ascertain a firm date when Ward will return for a follow-up meeting.

-And what is the process for determining and making changes; whether that process is routine or complicated.